The Theodosius Cistern (Şerefiye Sarnıcı) is a Byzantine reservoir about 1,600 years old, hidden beneath Piyer Loti Street, between Çemberlitaş and the Hippodrome. Smaller and far less crowded than the Basilica Cistern, it takes 20 to 30 minutes to visit and stands out for its 360-degree projection show on the columns and vaults. A ticket costs 900 TL for foreign visitors (prices checked in October 2026). It is run by Kültür AŞ, the cultural company of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), and is open every day of the week.
Highlights
The hall of 32 columns
Over an area of about 24 m by 40 m, 32 marble columns carry 45 brick vaults rising to almost 11 m. A glass walkway crosses the hall and reveals the original paving, still in place.
The Corinthian capitals
The capitals, carved with acanthus leaves in Marmara marble, are particularly well preserved. The walls, about 2.5 m thick, recall the original purpose of the site: the cistern, attributed to the reign of Theodosius II (408-450), supplied the Great Palace and the Baths of Zeuxippus among others.
The projection show
Since August 2021 the cistern has had its own 360-degree projection system: columns, walls and vaults serve as the screen for a film of about ten minutes on Istanbul's waterways, from Byzantium to the Republic. A second show, "Su Medeniyeti İstanbul" (Istanbul, a water civilisation), was added at the end of 2022. When it was launched, a session began on the hour, every hour.
A cistern rediscovered in 2010
No inscription dates the structure, which is attributed to Theodosius II on the basis of its architecture. It lay buried beneath the Arif Pasha mansion until 2010, when the Istanbul municipality demolished part of the house to uncover it and create an archaeological park.
Infos pratiques
Tips
Tickets cost 900 TL for foreign visitors; for residents, 330 TL full price and 90 TL reduced (students, teachers, military, police); since 17 September 2026, Turkish citizens pay 1 TL from 10am to 6pm on showing their ID card (prices checked in October 2026). Free for children aged 6 and under visiting with their family. Payment by bank card or Istanbulkart only, no cash; tickets are also sold on Passo. The Museum Pass Istanbul is not accepted, and large luggage is not allowed.
How to get there
Binbirdirek Mahallesi, Piyer Loti Caddesi No:2/1, 34122 Fatih, Istanbul. Tram T1, Çemberlitaş stop, about 250 m away (a 5-minute walk); the Sultanahmet stop is also close. The entrance is on Piyer Loti Street, which starts from Divanyolu Avenue near the Column of Constantine (Çemberlitaş); to combine it with the other sights of the area, see our Sultanahmet guide.
Opening hours
Nearby
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